Jae Irizarry, 17, was born a male and has been identifying as a female for about a year
TRENTON -- Jae Irizarry was a late entry in the balloting for homecoming queen at Trenton Central High School.
Irizarry was reluctant because she was born a male and has been identifying as a female for about a year. But encouraging friends and teachers convinced the 17-year-old senior to enter.
She ended up winning and was crowned homecoming queen Saturday at the Trenton Central High School's football game.
"I wanted to make a difference, to show not only the city and world that it's 2015 and things are changing and progressing," Irizarry said Monday. "I am so happy that I won, it's been amazing."
She credited her supportive school community.
"They're making my dreams come true," she said
Principal Hope Grant said it's now time for the schools and community to encourage and support Irizarry, and others like her.
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"Here you have a young person walking in their authentic self, every single day," Grant said. "We need to accept people, in whatever form or fashion (they come in."
Grant on Monday refuted rumors on social media and an anonymously sourced news report claiming the ballot was manipulated to guarantee Irizarry won.
Grant said Irizarry's status as homecoming queen is neither a stunt nor the product of voting impropriety.
"This was not a joke," Grant said. "There were loud cheers when this was announced Friday. There was cheering from classrooms."
The applause continued at the football game Saturday, she said.
"She is the homecoming queen," Grant declared.
Grant said the conversation about sexuality and gender identity can be difficult for some adults, but the younger generation is a more accepting group. And transgender youths deal with added stresses and pressure compared to their peers.
"We need to be embracing this student," Grant said. "As a public institution, we have a moral and legal responsibility to accept, embrace and be non judgmental."
Irizarry's mother, Cookie Irizarry, said she was initially concerned when her daughter told her she planned to run for homecoming queen.
"I'm just proud of my daughter, Jae," Irizarry said. "She's amazing, the encouragement was amazing and I was proud to walk beside her, and stand and scream with her, when she was crowned queen."
Irizarry said she knew that her daughter took a risk by running and acknowledges she feared for Jae's safety.
"Negativity came into my mind," Cookie Irizarry said. "As a Christian, I prayed to have protection over her."
Cookie Irizarry said Jae will always have a supportive family.
"She might have been born my son, but she is my daughter and she will be in my life," Cookie Irizarry said.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
